School of Design BA (Hons) Graphic and Communication Design
The information contained in this brochure is accurate at the date of publication. However, courses, University services and the content of this brochure remain subject to change. Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of accrediting bodies or to keep courses contemporary through updating practices or areas of study. Circumstances may arise outside the reasonable control of the University, leading to required changes. Such circumstances include, industrial action, unexpected student numbers, significant staff illness (where a course is reliant upon a person s expertise), unexpected lack of funding, severe weather, fire, civil disorder, political unrest, government restrictions and serious concern with regard to the transmission of serious illness making a course unsafe to deliver. After a student has taken up a place with the University, the University will look to give early notification of any changes and try to minimise their impact, offering suitable alternative arrangements or forms of compensation where it believes there is a fair case to do so. Offers of a place to study at the University will provide up to date information on courses. The latest key information on courses can be found at www.leeds.ac.uk/coursefinder. Please check this website before making any decisions. The University s contract with its students (following an acceptance by a student of any offer of a place) does not confer third-party benefits for the purposes of the Contract (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999. BA (Hons) Graphic and Communication Design at the University of Leeds The University of Leeds is a top civic university in the heart of one of the UK s most fashionable and student friendly cities. Graphic design is well established at Leeds and many of our graduates are successful designers and business leaders in the UK and overseas. Our unique BA (Hons) degree will enable you to study graphic and communication design in a stimulating and internationally renowned academic environment. You will study creative, theoretical and technical aspects of graphic and communication design, to reflect the needs of industry and commerce. Through your studies, you will develop your ability to think creatively and to devise innovative, imaginative design proposals. You will learn how to implement design solutions and advertising campaigns for a wide range of purposes and how to communicate with a broad range of clients and their audiences. You will acquire professional skills through your academic studies and practice and be well prepared for your future career.
Studying Graphic and Communication Design at Leeds This challenging course develops your creativity in graphic and communication design within an intellectually stimulating learning and research environment. A framework of academic studies, delivered by experts from a range of design disciplines, gives a dynamic context to your specialist graphic and communication design studies. You may also develop complementary skills and knowledge through a choice of optional subjects and/ or elective subjects offered by the School or other university departments. A wide range of discovery modules are available, in many different subjects, from across the University. Learning and teaching takes place through lectures, seminars and tutorials, as well as one-to-one contact with tutors in studios and workshops. Practical work is assessed by visual presentations, portfolios or other appropriate documentation. Assessment may be based on conventional written examinations, essays or other written responses to assignment briefs and the submission of practical log books or collections / portfolios of design work. A major design project is submitted in the final year and all students submit a written dissertation. The School of Design is located next to the Clothworkers Court, at the heart of the University Campus. Facilities include: spacious, well-equipped design and art studios; purpose-built PC and Apple Macintosh computer clusters and the University of Leeds International Textiles Archive. Course structure The BA (Hons) Graphic and Communication Design is a three-year course or a four-year course if you decide to undertake an optional year out in industry or study abroad after year 2.
In Year 1, you will undertake core studies in the historic, cultural and technological aspects of art and design. Alongside your academic work, you will develop a strategic approach to communications problem-solving, with a strong emphasis on visual research. In Year 2, you will develop your academic understanding of the core subjects and an awareness of professional standards. You will focus your studio practice and specialise in either: graphic design, branding and advertising or animation/ interactive media. In Year 3, you will work towards a final exhibition of design work and produce a written investigation into a graphic and communication design subject of your choice. Subjects studied Year 1 Core modules: Fundamentals of Imaging; Material Culture and Mass Consumption; Design History: 1900 to the Present day; Graphic and Communication Media A; Communication and Design Process Optional modules: Green Design and Sustainability; Patterns and Culture; Introduction to Photography (Digital); Colour and the Design Process; Fashion Brand Analysis; Drawing; Technologies for Art and Design; Theory and Research in Graphic Design; or choose from a range of Discovery Modules available throughout the university. Year 2 Core modules: Finding and Using Research Resources; Research, Writing and Dissertation; Marketing Creativity and Innovation; Design Theory 2; Design Application; Graphic and Communication Media B. Optional modules: Contemporary Digital Media; Contemporary Art and Memory; Photography (Digital); Class, Taste and Society: Interpreting Designed Objects; The Condition of Things: Curating, Critical Writing and Designed Objects; Eco- Design: Understanding Design s Role in Global Ecology; Colour: Art and Science; 20th Century Fashion; Principles of Typography; or choose from a range of Discovery Modules available throughout the university. Year 3 Core modules: Independent Study Dissertation; Graphic and Communication Media C; Independent Project Optional modules: Contemporary Moving Image; Landscape, Fashion Styling and Photography; Collaborative Marketing and Promotion; Design for 21st Century Societies; Contemporary Typography; Information Design; Brand Communications; Contemporary Advertising; or choose from a range of Discovery Modules available throughout the university. Professional skills for your career Through your degree studies you will actively develop a range of skills to prepare you for employment. You will develop your communication, presentation, research and analytical skills and your visual and critical awareness; together with your knowledge of the graphic design industry and related employment. You will present a public presentation of your work in your final year and will be encouraged to engage with a defined public through your designs. Year in Industry The School of Design offers all students the opportunity to gain valuable industrial experience. The Year in Industry module provides you with highly relevant industrial experience, an opportunity to improve your design, communication and people skills and create a network of relevant contacts. The industry experience also helps you to make informed career choices when you graduate. You have the flexibility to do one or more work placements, which can be as short as one month or as long as a year, with opportunities in Leeds, London, Europe, and the rest of the world; recent locations include New York, Sydney, South America, and China. Study Abroad opportunities If you wish to study abroad and are suitably qualified, you may extend your course to study for a year at one of several overseas universities, including institutions in Europe, Australia and the U.S.A. Your overseas placement would take place after year 2.
Career destinations On completion of this course, you will be equipped for a range of opportunities in employment or postgraduate study. Our students have an impressive track record as prize-winners in national competitions and our graduates have regularly found jobs with sought-after employers in the graphics industry. Recent graduate destinations include Apple inc, Nike, Exposure NY, Hugo & Marie, Marks & Spencer. University scholarships The University offers a range of undergraduate scholarships and bursaries to support students from less affluent backgrounds. Please go to the University of Leeds website at www.leeds.ac.uk/scholarships for full details. Applying to study in the School of Design Applications should be made online through UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. Please go to their website at www.ucas.com, for details of how to apply. The Graphic and Communication Design course code is W290. The University of Leeds UCAS code is L23.
Entry requirements The School of Design bases its offer of a place on careful consideration of information provided in the UCAS application form. Pre-A level qualifications, including GCSEs, your personal statement and academic reference are all of importance. Good performance at A level (or equivalent) is regarded as essential. You are required to have a minimum of six subjects at GCSE level to grade C or above, including English Language. Maths or a science subject and Art or Design are expected. We typically ask for three A level subjects to grades A, B, B, including an art or design subject. Equivalent qualifications may also be considered. Art and design foundation course qualifications are welcomed as an additional qualification to A levels, but are not a requirement for entry. Interviews and portfolio viewings do not usually form part of the selection process for this course. However, where it is felt that an interview would be of particular benefit to the applicant or to a group of applicants or where it is considered that further information is required to assess a candidate s potential, applicants may be invited to attend for an informal interview and portfolio viewing to show their practical and written work. Admissions tutors will consider the candidate s experience, skills and knowledge in relation to the academic and practical demands of the course. The School particularly welcomes applications from mature students and where appropriate, interviews mature candidates undertaking a relevant validated access course in art and design. The School of Design actively participates in the University of Leeds Access to Leeds Scheme. This widening access scheme gives special consideration to applicants whose personal circumstances may affect their ability to demonstrate their full potential through grades alone. Successful applicants receive an alternative, lower offer alongside a standard offer. For further information please go to www.leeds.ac.uk/a2l or contact accesstoleeds@leeds.ac.uk. For full details about our entry requirements, please visit the Undergraduate Study section of the School of Design website at www.design.leeds.ac.uk Visiting the School of Design If we offer you a place, you will be invited to attend one of our School open days, where you will have the opportunity to find out more about studying graphic and communication design at Leeds and the facilities available. If you want to find out more about the BA Graphic and Communication Design prior to application, you are recommended to attend one of these events, which include presentations about the course and a tour of the School. You will find the dates of scheduled events on our School website at www.design.leeds.ac.uk or by emailing designundergrad@leeds.ac.uk Further information If you wish to find out more about this course and the University of Leeds, please visit the University s website at www.leeds.ac.uk and the School of Design s website at www.design.leeds.ac.uk For enquiries about admissions and qualifications, please email designundergrad@leeds.ac.uk or phone 0113 343 3700. For enquiries about the structure and content of the course, please contact: Mr Alan Oliver School of Design University of Leeds Leeds LS2 9JT Telephone: 0113 343 3751 Email: a.oliver@leeds.ac.uk. Website: www.design.leeds.ac.uk